The Villain is Being Suspiciously Kind

Inside Citrinas atelier.

Ci, Citrina-nim.

What is it?

Master, what can we do?

A small tear rolled down Litas pale cheek. Because he had the provocative eyes of a fox, it always looked like he wanted to cry.

Its a big deal, Citrina! So here is what is going on- They say that the 5th pope of the Holy Kingdom had a bad opinion of elementism. That was back when there were only four elemental spirits

Hey, just breathe, Adilac.

Hoo, hah, hoo, hah.

Adilac took some deep breaths, trying to calm her bursting lungs.

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While Citrina tried to calm Adilac, Lita brought out a small video sphere.

Its a speech.

Yes, they say he gave a speech to the Orderbut thats not the problem, master!

Then what is the problem?

Citrinas eyes narrowed. She picked up the video sphere.

Inside was a speech given by a paladin called Genfiros.

Citrinas eyes sharpened when she saw it.

Whats going on with this?

Its the talk of the town, master.

Letters are coming in, Citrina. Half of them are questions about elementalism and the other half are cancellations for orders.

The leader of the paladins, Genfiros.

In the empire where most people were devout, many would listen to a leader from the Holy Kingdom.

Citrina worried about how to handle this situation. She couldnt beat a leader from the Holy Kingdom in a game when she didnt have a title of her own yet.

Hmm, what should I do about this

The fact that the Holy Empire considered elementalism to be sorcery was a problem. The faithful could turn against her.

Citrina didnt suffer from a lack of funds thanks to Oslo.

Thenshould I wake up Gemma first?

Exhausted from the work of enchanting the bracelets with luck, Gemma often nodded off.

Citrina was deeply conflicted as to whether or not to wake her up.

However, Citrina didnt have to think about it. The video played in an endless loop, waking Gemma from her nap.

[The 5th Holy Pope has declared elementism as witchcraft.]

She awoke precisely when Genfiros spoke about practicing elementism.

-Me, me, me!

-Gemma, calm down.

-Theyre the ones who are cheeky! Theyre like an airheaded kid.

Gemma popped out of the pendant and huffed. Citrina held her palm up.

Despite her outrage, Gemma found her contractors palm and sat down.

-You dont have guts. Whats with that airheaded attitude

-No, Im not a witch! What do you mean the 5th pope declared that Im a witch? Spirits are a naturally occurring species!

Citrina also knew it didnt make sense. Gemma was a pure and naive creature, so she wouldnt understand human politics.

How do I explain this to her?

The world was not so kind. Their opponent had credibility, justification, and holy ground.

She was no match for them right now.

What could she do?

She could ask Princess Iana or Duke Pietro for help, but even they might be hurt.

The Holy Kingdom was a small country, but antagonizing a nation of believers was a risky business.

What to do?

Was this all Elainas doing? But the puzzle seemed to be missing a few pieces.

Genfiros is pulling the strings but why?

The questions swirled around in her mind.

Citrina looked forehead at Adilac, then Gemma on her hand, and finally at Lita.

For now, leave the letters of condemnation and the order cancellations. Dont reply to them.

Yes.

Close the atelier doors immediately, Lita.

Yes!

And then well have a meeting about what to do. Gemma, Adilac, Lita. All of us.

Yes, Citrina! Im ready!

M, Me too?

Thats right, Lita.

Adilac looked grim, Litas face was red and swollen, and Gemma who had escaped from her pendant flew frantically around the atelier.

As soon as Lita locked the atelier doors, Citrina brought them further inside the atelier to the small workroom.

There are some nobles who do not believe in divine power or divine prophecy, not completely.

Those who did not believe in God did not speak out in person.

Then why dont we prove to them what elementism really is?

Prove it, Citrina?

Yes. Lets show people elementism.

Citrina smiled broadly.

She was starting to get a bad feeling about the world that kept sabotaging her plans again and again.

-Alright. Leave it to me!

-You havent explained what youre going to do yet, Gemma.

Gemma looked up sharply.

-You and I have a connection!

Citrina whispered to herself as she stroked Gemmas hair.

As night fell, the whole street shined like it was filled with tiny jewels.

Instead of stars, she would fill the image spheres with beautiful images of elementism.

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People were weak to beautiful things. Though nothing could match the madness of God.

Beautiful jewelry will melt peoples hearts.

-Yeah. Lets do it together!

Gemma smiled broadly. Citrina turned to face her.

Lita and Adilac were looking at Citrina with puzzled faces.

Lita, Adilac, you two have work to do.

What is it? Just leave us alone!

In the midst of the crisis, their camaraderie was strengthened. They looked at each other nervously and whispered.